Your business success is often found in what you don’t do

[Joe Marconi]

As shop owners, we are often overwhelmed by all the tasks we need to accomplish on a daily basis. We run from morning till night putting out fires and dealing with difficult situations. The days, weeks and years pass us by. And we sometimes end up realizing that activity does not always equate to accomplishments.

 

To be quite honest, too many shop owners are doing too many things that they should not be doing. For example, is it the best use of your time running across town to pick up parts? Or repairing the plumbing in the customer bathroom?

 

There was a time when I thought that I had to be everything, everyone and everywhere; the lead tech, the service advisor, the manager, the building repairman, the bookkeeper, the receptionist, and even the janitor. And I also thought that every situation had to be handled by me. If not by me, how would things get done?

 

In order to grow a profitable business, the owner needs to concentrate on what will achieve the greatest amount of return. For one week create a list of all that you do; every activity from answering the phone to helping in the shop. Then, begin to strike from the list, things that could and should be handled by someone else. When you narrow your focus on those tasks you should be doing, you will become more efficient and achieve more. Delegate and help others in your shop grow.

 

Success is determined by not only how much you achieve, but also by how much you help others achieve.

[Tony M]

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[flacvabeach]

Absolutely agree, Joe. I'm a dyed-in-the wool DIY guy. For years, I saved $$ by refilling my own ink cartridges for the numerous inkjet printers around our two shops. I bought ink by the gallon and probably saved a bundle, but every time a printer quit, it was my crisis and my fingers were always ink-stained. Last year we signed a contract with an outfit that put three laser printers in strategic spots. They provide service, toner comes in the mail and our invoices and courtesy checks look impeccable. Best of all, it freed up a lot of my time to work on more important stuff.

[Joe Marconi]

Absolutely agree, Joe. I'm a dyed-in-the wool DIY guy. For years, I saved $$ by refilling my own ink cartridges for the numerous inkjet printers around our two shops. I bought ink by the gallon and probably saved a bundle, but every time a printer quit, it was my crisis and my fingers were always ink-stained. Last year we signed a contract with an outfit that put three laser printers in strategic spots. They provide service, toner comes in the mail and our invoices and courtesy checks look impeccable. Best of all, it freed up a lot of my time to work on more important stuff.

 

This is exactly what I am referring to! Great post!

[alfredauto]

+1 I totally agree even though I'm still stuck in flacvabeach's mentality.

[UsedTireShop]

I am implementing this delegation system now. I started with having my lube tech in charge of ordering wheel weights. Next week he will learn how to order oil and filters. Saves me 30 minutes a week which adds up to 26 hours a year.

[Joe Marconi]

I am implementing this delegation system now. I started with having my lube tech in charge of ordering wheel weights. Next week he will learn how to order oil and filters. Saves me 30 minutes a week which adds up to 26 hours a year.

 

That's how it starts. One small step at a time. Great job!

[Elon Block]

I am implementing this delegation system now. I started with having my lube tech in charge of ordering wheel weights. Next week he will learn how to order oil and filters. Saves me 30 minutes a week which adds up to 26 hours a year.

That's great you are starting a delegation system. As you move forward,

you may want to consider documenting each new system so you can use it

for training purposes.

 

Looking at it from the bigger picture, standardizing everything in your shop

allows the business to run on auto-pilot. That means you have the freedom

to work on the business - not in the business.

 

It also gives you the freedom to take time off from the business if you want

because the shop runs efficiently and profitably, whether you're there or not.

In my humble opinion, it's a goal worth shooting for.